对于
duìyú · HSK 4
in regard to
➡️🎯 对于 = 对 (toward/face) + 于 (at/in) — 'facing toward, at'
对 means face/toward; 于 is a classical preposition meaning at/in/to. Together 对于 marks the target or topic of an action: 'with regard to' or 'toward' something. Used like English 'as for' or 'regarding'.
对 — 又 (hand) + 寸 (measure/rule)
Originally depicted a hand (又) holding or responding to something, with 寸 added as a phonetic-semantic element suggesting measured action. The traditional form 對 showed a hand presenting an object in reply, giving the core sense of 'to answer' or 'face toward.' Modern meanings like 'correct' and 'pair' grew from this idea of matching response.
于 — two horizontal strokes 二 + vertical hook 亅
于 originated as a pictograph of breath or sound flowing outward, depicting exhalation through a passage. In oracle bone script it resembled a curved line showing motion or extension. Over time it became a grammatical preposition meaning 'at,' 'in,' or 'to,' losing its original concrete sense.